Middle East Experience

The Qatari flag carrier had launched legal proceedings against the plane manufacturer in December at the High Court in London in bid to settle the dispute. Qatar Airways is now demanding $618 million in contractual compensation from airplane manufacturer, Airbus, amid an escalating legal spat over jet surface flaws on A350 aircrafts, Reuters has reported. ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar Airways seeks 8 mln from Airbus in escalating dispute

A new strain of COVID-19 that is a combination of the delta and omicron variants, dubbed “deltacron,” has been discovered in Cyprus.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Leondios Kostrikis, professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus and head of the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology described his findings in an interview with Sigma TV on Friday.“There are currently omicron and delta co-infections and we found this strain that is a combination of these two,” he said.The new discovery was named “deltacron” after omicron-like genetic signatures were found in the delta genomes, Kostrikis said.Around 25 cases of the new strain have been discovered, he said, but it is too early to say how damaging the “deltacron” strain might be.Researchers around the world are discovering new strains as the COVID-19 virus mutates and spreads.A study by French scientists from the IHU Mediterranee Infection published a study in December outlining the discovery of a new “IHU” variant.The World Health Organization said the IHU variant had not become much of a threat since it was first identified.Cases of “flurona” have also been detected – when a person is infected with both COVID-19 and the influenza virus at the same time.Experts say cases of “flurona” are likely to grow as the more contagious omicron variant continues its rapid spread.The phenomenon is not new, however, with reports of co-infections going back to early 2020. Cases of COVID-19 are reaching record numbers as the omicron variant spreads.Deaths, however, remain well below the January 2021 peak.With BloombergRead more: Explainer: New ‘IHU’ COVID-19 variant found in France capable of 46 mutationsExplainer: What is the new B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant?UAE reports its first case of COVID-19 variant Omicron
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Cyprus scientists discover new ‘deltacron’ COVID-19 strain

Not too long ago, Saudi Arabia had threatened to dig a canal in a bid to geographically isolate Qatar, after it failed to do so politically. Relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia seem to be strengthening and progressing at a fast pace a year after the signing of the Al-Ullah decleration which brought about the ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Plans to connect Qatar and Saudi by rail 'back on track'

Saudi Arabia has recorded 3,460 new COVID-19 cases and one virus-related death in the last 24 hours, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A total of 578,753 COVID-19 cases and 8,893 deaths have now been recorded in Saudi Arabia.In the last 24 hours, there were also 843 recoveries, bringing the total to 546,614.Saudi Arabia updated COVID-19 rulesThe Ministry of Interior announced that those who do refuse a temperature check before entering public or private places, and don’t follow social distancing rules will receive a $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) fine.In case of repeat offenses, the fine can reach up to $266,000 (100,000 riyal).Numbers have continued to increase in recent weeks after the first case of the omicron variant was detected in Saudi Arabia on December 1.That case was traced to an unnamed north African country, according to the official SPA news agency.Saudi Arabia recently reimposed social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, as well as in public places. Masks are now required again in both indoor and outdoor places.Read more: Saudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 cases cross 3,500 for first time in over one yearDaily COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia pass 3,000 for the first time since July 2020Saudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 case numbers rise by one-third
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia records 3,460 COVID-19 cases, one death in 24 hours

Shortly after the 2017 blockade, the Qatari broadcaster was blocked in Saudi Arabia, a move that was followed by the emergence of Saudi piracy outlet ‘beoutQ’, which broadcasted stolen content. Qatar and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to pause their dispute over the findings of a report by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regarding copyright ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar, Saudi Arabia 'hit pause' on beIN broadcast dispute at WTO

A leading Sudanese protest group on Sunday rejected a United Nations initiative to hold talks with the military aimed at restoring the country’s democratic transition following an October coup.The move suggests Sudan's political deadlock and relentless street protests are likely to continue, with at least 60 people killed since the military takeover. The UN offer Saturday came a week after embattled Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned, citing a failure to reach compromise between the generals and the pro-democracy movement.The Oct. 25 coup scuttled hopes of a peaceful transition, over two years after a popular uprising forced the military overthrow of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.In a statement, the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, which led the upraising against al-Bashir, said the “only way” out of the ongoing crisis is through the removal of the generals from power. It seeks a fully civilian government to lead the transition, underlined by the motto “No negotiations, no compromise, no power-sharing” with the military. The SPA has been the backbone of anti-coup protests, alongside youth groups known as the Resistance Committees.Protesters continued their marches in Khartoum on Sunday, with security forces firing tear gas in at least one location to disperse demonstrators, according to activist Nazim Sirag. There were no immediate reports of causalities.Volker Perthes, the UN envoy for Sudan, said that the talks would be inclusive to try to reach a “sustainable path forward towards democracy and peace” in the country.“It is time to end the violence and enter into a constructive process. This process will be inclusive,” he said.Though the envoy has yet to offer details of the U.N.-facilitated political process, the SPA's rejection deals a blow to his efforts to bring the generals and the pro-democracy movement to the negotiating table.Perthes is planning to offer more details in a news conference in Khartoum on Monday. The SPA said Perthes’ moves have been “controversial,” citing his efforts in supporting a deal Hamdok stuck with the military in November that reinstated him but sidelined the pro-democracy movement.“He has to listen carefully to the aims of our proud people and their revolutionary forces in establishing a fully civilian, national rule,” it said.World and regional powers welcomed the UN initiative.The United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates urged all Sudanese players to “seize this opportunity to restore the country’s transition to civilian democracy” in accordance with the 2019 constructional document that establishing the transitional government.At the United Nations, five countries – the US, UK, Albania, France and Norway – requested a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Sudan. Diplomats said it will likely take place Tuesday or Wednesday.Read more:Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, US back UN call for Sudan talks to end post-coup crisisAnalysis: Hamdok resigning, Sudan’s future and need for international interventionSudan’s PM announces resignation amid political deadlockUS calls for civilian rule in Sudan after Hamdok quits as premier
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Sudan protest group rejects UN offer for talks with military

The election marked the beginning of Abbas's four-year term as president, which has lasted 17 years with no other elections having been held.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: On This Day in 2005: Mahmoud Abbas elected Palestinian Authority president

Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine lengthens the menstrual cycle - not bleeding - by less than a day, though it seems to be temporary, is considered a normal variation and is not dangerous.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: COVID-19 vaccine lengthens menstrual cycle, no indication of danger - study

The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Oman, Iraq and Algeria have over the past few months signaled their desire to restore their relations with Syria.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: PA joins Arabs seeking to normalize ties with Syria’s Assad

Why did Yair Lapid and his Yesh Atid Party colleagues prove their staying power against the odds?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Yesh Atid proves its staying power as it enters new decade - analysis